hermetic magic is different in that the people who practice it see it as a predictable force that can be measured and controlled, while shamans tend towards calling it an art form. they apply scientific (or pseudo-scientific) theories to their magic while shamans treat it more like a religion. hermetic mages put a lot of value in rituals and incantations, things to focus the ambient mana in the world, instead of channeling directly from a totem.
plus they view it as a tool rather than a way of life. they can't summon spirits as well as shamans can, in my experience. i think it's because they're so detached from what they do.
all that said, they aren't bound by restrictions like shamans are, so i guess they have their benefits.
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hermetic magic is different in that the people who practice it see it as a predictable force that can be measured and controlled, while shamans tend towards calling it an art form. they apply scientific (or pseudo-scientific) theories to their magic while shamans treat it more like a religion. hermetic mages put a lot of value in rituals and incantations, things to focus the ambient mana in the world, instead of channeling directly from a totem.
plus they view it as a tool rather than a way of life. they can't summon spirits as well as shamans can, in my experience. i think it's because they're so detached from what they do.
all that said, they aren't bound by restrictions like shamans are, so i guess they have their benefits.